More Articles politics

comment

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Republicans on the Westchester County Board of Legislators were unanimous in their praise on Friday for County Executive Rob Astorino following his fifth annual
"state of the county address.
"

Minority Leader John Testa of Peekskill, said, "Rob has been consistent in his mission to ease the burden on Westchester taxpayers. . . With all the unfunded mandates coming down from Albany, can you imagine where we’d be without the leadership of this County Executive?”

Jim Maisano of New Rochelle, vice chairman of the board, said, "Rob did an excellent job articulating the challenges facing our county, and explaining that we must address them in the most fiscally responsible manner possible.”

During his Wednesday speech, Astorino discussed his "fatherhood initiative" partnership with former Knicks All-Star Allan Houston.

"It’s quite apparent that we have a compassionate forward-thinking County Executive in Rob Astorino,'' said Legislator David Gelfarb of Rye Brook. "He’s also tough when he needs to be."

Legislator Michael Smith of Mount Pleasant called Astorino "a pragmatic leader with a strong social conscience. . . When he stands up to an overreaching federal government, and refuses to let social engineers run roughshod over our local zoning, he shows he’s principled in his determination to preserve home rule."

Astorino, a Republican from Hawthorne, also announced the opening next month of a Westchester Economic Development office in Manhattan across from Grand Central Terminal.

Legislator Sheila Marcotte of Eastchester called it "a brilliant idea. . . It's one thing to just say you’re going to attract business to the county, it’s another thing entirely to be proactive and go get the businesses.”

Legislator Gordon Burrows of Yonkers said, “Of course it's great to keep taxes down; that’s a must. But Rob knows that in order to actually grow the economy and create jobs, you have to create an environment which does so. That’s a positive role for government to play.”

Fellow Yonkers Legislator Bernice Spreckman said, "By keeping taxes stable, County Executive Astorino has once again kept his promise to give taxpayers a fighting chance. . . I hope the new deal for Playland provides summer memories for generations to come."